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Connected vehicles need to connect in more and better ways. That's why Toyota's new research vehicle that's been built into a Mirai fuel cell car has tech that lets it get connected in a big way. Things like flat-panel antenna that talks to satellites connected.

The special hydrogen-powered Mirai gets its new tech from Kymeta, which Toyota says is the "world's leader in flat-panel antenna technology." These new antennas and their satellite connections allow for "huge amounts of data" to be sent to the car, which should be more stable and secure, "particularly in emergencies such as natural disasters." Toyota has an exclusive right to develop and test Kymeta's on-car antenna, but Kymeta also partners with Panasonic for an antenna that works with boats on the open water.

Toyota's goal here is to make future cars more communicate-y by installing a "Data Communication Module" into more vehicles. In a statement, Toyota Motor Corporation's senior managing officer, Shigeki Tomoyama, said, "For several years, Toyota met with emerging companies around the world to investigate new technologies. We were very excited to learn about Kymeta, because their flat antennae technology could solve the challenge of vehicle-based satellite communications."

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Toyota Displays a Mirai-Based Research Vehicle with Satellite Communications Function
Accelerates Connected Technology Development through Collaboration with Kymeta

January 12, 2016
Detroit, Jan. 12, 2016 -- At the 2016 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS), Toyota is displaying a research vehicle based on the Mirai fuel cell vehicle which is equipped with satellite communications technology from Kymeta, a U.S.-based company that is the world's leader in flat-panel antenna technology.

Toyota is working to enhance its connected technologies, including a plan to install a Data Communication Module into a broader range of its vehicles. The company is also considering using satellite communications in the future, including high capacity satellites that offer much higher data transfer rates than conventional satellite technologies.

While these satellites have historically required the use of a "dish" antenna on the ground, Kymeta's satellite antennas remove the need for mechanical components by using software and liquid crystal technologies to electronically track and steer towards satellites. The lightweight, flat profile of the antenna also allows for seamless integration during vehicle assembly or easy aftermarket installation.

"For several years, Toyota met with emerging companies around the world to investigate new technologies," said Shigeki Tomoyama, Senior Managing Officer of Toyota Motor Corporation. "We were very excited to learn about Kymeta, because their flat antennae technology could solve the challenge of vehicle-based satellite communications."

the distribution of huge amounts of data to a vehicle,
broad coverage areas and the global deployment of connected vehicles that share common standards across national borders, and
more stable and secure communications, particularly in emergencies such as natural disasters.

"We're excited to be working with Toyota on this next generation of vehicle connectivity," said Dr. Nathan Kundtz, CEO of Kymeta. "Kymeta is the first company to successfully demonstrate this type of technology, and we have over 8,000 miles of road testing with cars connected to satellites."

Since September 2013, Toyota and Kymeta have been jointly researching flat antennae, embedded in the car, to support satellite distribution of huge amounts of data to a vehicle. With an exclusive right for development and testing of the on-car antenna, Toyota lent the company research vehicles for test driving. The Mirai displayed at NAIAS represents the progress of these efforts.

Mirai Creation Investment Limited Partnership, a fund where Toyota participates as an investor, provided an investment of $5 million (US) to Kymeta this month to enhance future technology research and development. Toyota expects acceleration of the joint research with Kymeta through the investment.

Toyota continues to work to accelerate connected car development and introduction including use of satellite communications, to offer customers ever-better car experience.

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